Have you ever wondered about those stained glass windows where the big eye stares in at you? An acquaintance of mine from some years ago gave it an interesting twist. In stead of viewing that icon as God’s all-seeing eye staring in on us, he chose to see it as our chance to perceive human activity from God’s vantage point. Hmmm. And, okay.
What if you could hover just above the congregation as we worship each week, seeing our shared worship expressions as God may, what would you see? Would you look on individuals still isolated, seated alone, uninvited by those around them to worship together? Or conversely, would you see people hungry for fellowship with God, seated intentionally alone for the opportunity to focus on God?
Some of those seated around you desperately need your friendship while others with equal intensity just need time and attention solely focused on God Himself. You will display your love for God and others by taking the initiative to find out what their needs are. Once you have done your compassionate exploration, then respond by asking if you may sit together or alternately by respecting their wish for a little envelop of privacy.
Love seeks that which is in the best interest others. As you take your seat, pray for those who worship with you that God will meet their need to connect with other worshippers and with God.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
April 21, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Car Keys and a Gallon of Milk
I am afraid I am not as patient as I should be when it comes to watching others develop. I did see my own children grow and mature over time, so this is not a new concept for me. And I have grown up a little bit myself. A little bit. Somehow it just takes time for me to adjust to the idea with another set of people.
You recall how when the kids were small, you poured the milk yourself - always - they never did that for themselves. You even used a special lidded cup for them. Then as their hands became more coordinated, they advanced to cup without a lid. You watched to be sure the cup wasn’t placed too close to the table’s edge. When it was, you moved it back out of the danger zone.
One day the little voice said, “Let me pour it,” and you helped them do just that. Once they had developed enough to do so, you let them pour their own glass of moo juice. And then the day came when you tossed over the set of car keys and you said, “Run to the store for me and pick up a gallon of milk, please.”
In the area of leadership development, we have to let our people learn by doing. This is how they enlarge their range of proficiency; one task teaches a group of skills and the next a new aptitude set. As their abilities expand, we increase their responsibility. At the start, we are pouring the milk, watching shaky hands maneuver the cup and by the end, they have the keys and are excitedly driving off without us. They have seen it done and experienced it for themselves. Now they can and do lead.
I am as hopeful for my increasing patience as I am for their growth in leadership roles within The Kingdom. Having leaders is a matter of growing them.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
April 14, 2009
You recall how when the kids were small, you poured the milk yourself - always - they never did that for themselves. You even used a special lidded cup for them. Then as their hands became more coordinated, they advanced to cup without a lid. You watched to be sure the cup wasn’t placed too close to the table’s edge. When it was, you moved it back out of the danger zone.
One day the little voice said, “Let me pour it,” and you helped them do just that. Once they had developed enough to do so, you let them pour their own glass of moo juice. And then the day came when you tossed over the set of car keys and you said, “Run to the store for me and pick up a gallon of milk, please.”
In the area of leadership development, we have to let our people learn by doing. This is how they enlarge their range of proficiency; one task teaches a group of skills and the next a new aptitude set. As their abilities expand, we increase their responsibility. At the start, we are pouring the milk, watching shaky hands maneuver the cup and by the end, they have the keys and are excitedly driving off without us. They have seen it done and experienced it for themselves. Now they can and do lead.
I am as hopeful for my increasing patience as I am for their growth in leadership roles within The Kingdom. Having leaders is a matter of growing them.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
April 14, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Fruit Punch
I stopped by the kitchen as the crew was preparing for the Wednesday evening church meal. There was some friendly banter and a few compliments flew through the air. And then it happened. I asked for something to drink.
Now that may seem a small request to you, but these were busy people, focused on a mission, operating under a deadline. And I didn’t ask for a glass of water, a task I could complete on my own (no, really, I could achieve that.) I asked for fruit punch before it was fully prepared for the beverage table.
What was the response I received? It could have been, “The water spout is right over there,” followed by a head nod aimed out away from the work area. Or they might have supplied a barbed sentence like, “In a bit of a hurry, are we?” Neither of these scenarios even comes close to what actually happened.
The young lady who was preparing to get up to her elbows in tea and juice simply said, “We’ve got our first customer!” Then she poured a full glass of just exactly what I had sauntered into the room in search of.
I left with a cup of refreshment and a smile. I had been treated well in spite of my intrusion. I had been lifted up instead of pushed down. I had been affirmed and not denied. I had seen how I should treat others. Yeah for places where people do it right!
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
April 7, 2009
Now that may seem a small request to you, but these were busy people, focused on a mission, operating under a deadline. And I didn’t ask for a glass of water, a task I could complete on my own (no, really, I could achieve that.) I asked for fruit punch before it was fully prepared for the beverage table.
What was the response I received? It could have been, “The water spout is right over there,” followed by a head nod aimed out away from the work area. Or they might have supplied a barbed sentence like, “In a bit of a hurry, are we?” Neither of these scenarios even comes close to what actually happened.
The young lady who was preparing to get up to her elbows in tea and juice simply said, “We’ve got our first customer!” Then she poured a full glass of just exactly what I had sauntered into the room in search of.
I left with a cup of refreshment and a smile. I had been treated well in spite of my intrusion. I had been lifted up instead of pushed down. I had been affirmed and not denied. I had seen how I should treat others. Yeah for places where people do it right!
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
April 7, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
TEETH
(Note: these reflections were originally from a conversation far removed from here in time and space, some years ago in a different galaxy, or at least some months ago in a different state. In other words, Claudia is a real person, you just don’t know her.)
It really is hard to have a conversation when you are a patient in a dental office. I’ve learned if you can get your hygienist talking before she gets her fingers in your mouth, having your teeth cleaned is a much more appealing proposition. Family and hobbies of mutual interest are good topics.
Claudia was talking and I was listening – what else was I going to do? – and she offered a phrase something like this: “We are all guilty of that.” Universal guilt. Now there is a weighty concept not typically discussed during a visit to your dentist’s friendly neighborhood office.
Is there such a thing as ‘universal guilt’? If there is, I have a rapidly developing personal fascination in a parallel concept of ‘universal pardon’. Sounds almost Gospel to me. And of interest to a broader audience than solely the lady who keeps my smile intact.
‘Universal pardon’ could be valuable if the “guilt” part of ‘universal guilt’ applies to me. And as surely as I have teeth, it does. In the Gospel message there is the offer of pardon for all of us. We experience forgiveness of our sin debt (guilt) when we admit our sin and turning from it enter a new relationship with God.
Sin is forgiven in Jesus death and resurrection as we accept His loving offer of pardon and cleansing. If you have never received this gift, accept it today as you yield your life to the one who makes Easter the most joyful day of the year.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBCApril 1, 2009
It really is hard to have a conversation when you are a patient in a dental office. I’ve learned if you can get your hygienist talking before she gets her fingers in your mouth, having your teeth cleaned is a much more appealing proposition. Family and hobbies of mutual interest are good topics.
Claudia was talking and I was listening – what else was I going to do? – and she offered a phrase something like this: “We are all guilty of that.” Universal guilt. Now there is a weighty concept not typically discussed during a visit to your dentist’s friendly neighborhood office.
Is there such a thing as ‘universal guilt’? If there is, I have a rapidly developing personal fascination in a parallel concept of ‘universal pardon’. Sounds almost Gospel to me. And of interest to a broader audience than solely the lady who keeps my smile intact.
‘Universal pardon’ could be valuable if the “guilt” part of ‘universal guilt’ applies to me. And as surely as I have teeth, it does. In the Gospel message there is the offer of pardon for all of us. We experience forgiveness of our sin debt (guilt) when we admit our sin and turning from it enter a new relationship with God.
Sin is forgiven in Jesus death and resurrection as we accept His loving offer of pardon and cleansing. If you have never received this gift, accept it today as you yield your life to the one who makes Easter the most joyful day of the year.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBCApril 1, 2009
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